If you've just got a kitten or two, you're probably still learning all about cat care. You want to do everything you can to make sure that your pet cat grows into a healthy adult cat. Proper nutrition is a huge part of the health equation. Here's what you need to know about healthy eating for kittens and what the food must contain to be healthy. At Petaholic , we have also provided you with a range of healthy foods for small cats that are filled with all the nutrients they need on a daily basis.
How to provide healthy food for kittens and what conditions must be met in food to be healthy and nutritious?
Just like babies, cats require a biologically appropriate diet that meets all their nutritional needs. There are many healthy food options and brands that truly care about your cat's well-being and health. But you need to know what to look for? What should be in your cat's food to be healthy? In fact, there are 6 essential nutrients that must be present in healthy eating for kittens.
animal protein
Cats are basically carnivores! That's why animal protein is at the top of our list. Cats can obtain all essential amino acids from animal protein. Proteins are also the building blocks for organs and tissues, including cartilage, tendons, fur, skin, blood, muscles and the heart. They are part of enzymes, hormones and antibodies.
Therefore, complete and balanced kitten food must include animal protein from meat to be healthy, such as turkey, chicken or beef, as well as fish and eggs. Feeding your cat a well-balanced diet aids in healthy functioning and regeneration of body tissues, and helps keep her claws and fur strong and healthy.
Fats
Animal fats are the main source of energy for cats. "Good fats" is a term used to describe the fats found naturally in meat and fish as well as essential fatty acids such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These good fats are essential to the health of kittens. Fat also helps maintain a cat's body temperature, provide energy and absorb vitamins such as A, D, E, and K. Since cats only receive good fats through the food they consume, it is important that the healthy food you provide is rich in omega-3s. and omega 6.
carbohydrates
Although carbohydrates are not considered by some to be essential nutrients in a healthy feline diet, carbohydrates do play an important role in your kitten's body. Carbohydrates provide an easily digestible and readily available source of energy, and should be present in any healthy kitten food you give them. Cats can get the necessary carbohydrates from grains such as wheat and rice. Because these grains are often added ingredients in many wet cat foods, these carbohydrate sources are pre-processed to make it easier for your cat to digest and absorb. However, carbohydrates from uncooked soybeans and other legumes should be avoided because they contain many anti-nutritional factors.
water and humidity
Cats tend to consume less water than their bodies need. In fact, 70% of a cat's body is made up of water. So cats get the majority of the water they need through the food they eat. Water is essential for cats and helps the body to:
- Proper distribution of nutrients.
- Maintains temperature.
- Eliminates toxins.
- Nutrient absorption and metabolism.
Combined with the increased palatability and generally higher animal protein content in wet food, the contents of high quality canned wet cat food make it a smart choice of meal for your kitten. Wet food for cats is usually 78% to 82% water, and is an excellent source of moisture. Wet food can also be used as a complete food or on top of your cat's dry food, helping her to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day. Do not compromise your kitten's health due to lack of water! In addition to incorporating wet food into her diet, always make sure to leave a water bowl for her.
Vitamins are a prerequisite for any healthy kitten diet
Vitamins are essential for all mammals. The most important thing to keep in mind with vitamins is to feed them in the right proportions. Most vitamins are made from the raw materials found in your cat's food, which is why choosing a well-balanced, nutritious cat food is crucial to good health. Here are the most essential vitamins your cat should get:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
minerals
Minerals, like vitamins, are also essential for all mammals. Minerals contribute to enzyme formation, pH balance, nutrient utilization, and oxygen transport. Elemental minerals are generally taken from the earth or water; Chelated minerals are those that bind to other organic substances, making them easier for the body to absorb. There are a few minerals that are essential to healthy kittens, and these include:
- Iron
- calcium
- magnesium
- potassium
- Sodium
- chloride
Among the healthy cat foods that we offer at Petaholic for small cats and recommend them to you:
How do you know that the food you are giving your kitten is healthy and of high quality?
There are some things that you should look for in the healthy food for small cats that you buy for your cat to make sure that it is healthy food for small cats and meets their nutritional needs, these things are as follows:
- That real meat be the first ingredient of food.
- Fillers, if any (such as corn, wheat, soybeans) must be included in the ingredients list.
- If a "meal" is listed in the ingredients list, make sure it is from a specific source (such as chicken, beef, or salmon), and not a generic meal (such as poultry meal or fish meal).
- contains certain protein by-products (eg chicken by-product) that are highly nutritious and generally not a problem; But watch out for general, non-specific statements (such as a by-product) as they are of lesser quality.
There are also some things that should be avoided if they are present in the food of small cats, and thus make sure that they are unhealthy:
- The name of the food contains the words “with” or “flavor” (eg: flavored with beef or beef) as this indicates a small percentage of real meat.
- The same ingredient is listed several times using different names, such as high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, sugar, sucrose.
- Too many fillers and treats, it's not biologically appropriate for your cat.
- If you see the word "with" listed in the name, this is a healthy kitten food that lets us know there is less meat in the food (only 3%). For example, "Cat food with chicken or with chicken."
Some of the healthy wet foods we offer for kittens at Petaholic are:
You can now feel more confident when shopping for food for your kitten. At Petaholic, you can have complete confidence in our pet foods, which put your pets health first.
You may also be interested: